Hercules Challenges Housing Minister Ara to Prove Tanah Abang Land Status

Chairman of the Indonesian United Victory People’s Movement (GRIB Jaya), Rosario de Marshal alias Hercules, has challenged Housing Minister Maruarar Sirait, who claimed that lands in Tanah Abang are being illegally occupied by his organisation. Hercules described the minister’s question, referred to as Minister Ara’s familiar nickname, as highly tendentious and cornering his side, which is attempting to secure assets claimed to still belong to the rightful heirs. Hercules requested that small communities not be pressured or squeezed regarding the Tanah Abang land dispute polemic. He emphasised that repressive actions are contrary to the vision of President Prabowo Subianto, who greatly cares for the small people. “So that the people are not squeezed. Because Mr President, we know he is not like that,” said Hercules in the official GRIB Jaya YouTube Live broadcast on Tuesday (14/4/2026). Deputy Head of the Legal and Advocacy Division of GRIB Jaya and the Heirs, Wilson Collin, stated that this case has also been brought to the legal route through a lawsuit for Unlawful Acts (PMH) at the Central Jakarta District Court. The heirs claim to have a strong legal basis in the form of Eigendom Verponding number 946 from 1923 in the name of Ilias Rajo Mentari. They consider the issuance of Land Management Rights (HPL) by PT KAI in 2008 to be juridically flawed because it ignores the old rights that have existed since 1923 without a valid legal process. Regarding the Housing Minister’s statement, Maruarar Sirait, who wants to utilise the land for people’s housing, the legal team reminded that development must not ignore aspects of justice and legal certainty. “It cannot be justified if rights born in 2008 override rights that have existed since 1923 without a valid legal process,” explained Wilson.